Domestic Violence Response Team

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Power, Control and Cycle of Abuse

As the wheel illustrates, abuse is cyclical. There are periods of time where things may be calmer, but those times are followed by a buildup of tension and abuse. The cycle often starts to repeat, becoming more extreme as time goes on. Each relationship is different, and not everyone follows the same pattern. Yet, abusers commonly use many or all of these tactics of abuse to instill fear and gain control.